Leeds United Football Club News updated daily

November 96

30th November

Lee Sharpe talks to the Sun Newspaper

Headline: George will make Leeds so good everyone is gonna hate us

Lee Says;

1. Graham is no football dictator.
2. Graham will listen to the players opinions and take them into account, and then he will still end up doing it his way. (Kind of contradicts point 1?)
3. Graham says it will take two years to turn the club's fortunes around.
4. What has been apparent recently is our physical strength. We have finished our last three games looking the much stronger team.
(A big picture of our Lee looking very friendly with a Sun reporter and Graham looking very goofy with a football stuck to his knee.)

29th November

Nadal
Man U have pulled out of the race to sign Barcelona defender Miguel Nadal. This leaves the way open for Leeds and Middlesbrough who are both thought to be interested.

28th November

Yorkshire Evening Post
The power failure at Stalybridge Celtics ground last night in the match against Oldham came during half-time. According to Yeboah, he will be fit enough to get 15-20 minutes as sub on Sunday and has thus declared himself fit. He doesn't think he will start, but has said the knee is no problem.(YIPPEE!)
Abandoned
According to the results in today's papers, Yeboah's latest comeback game in the reserves at Oldham was abandoned last night due to power failure.
Fat bloke
Tomas Brolin has agreed to Leeds demand that he returns to England for a medical check.

27th November

Today's Daily Telegraph
A bid by Sunderland of 1.75million for German striker Uwe Rosler closely followed a move by Leeds to rival that of Wimbledon for the services of Northern Ireland midfielder Steve Lomas. City would want 2.5million for Rosler and 3million for Lomas but would probably settle for less on both counts. Leeds manager Graham, meanwhile, was in Holland at the weekend checking on Vitesse Arnhem striker Roy Makaay, who was capped for the first time as a substitute in the recent 7-1 World Cup demolition of Wales.

26th November

Yeboah
Tony Yeboah makes his first competitive appearance for Leeds tomorrow since March. Leeds top scorer for the past two seasons is playing in the reserve match against Oldham. He hopes to get a place in the squad that plays Chelsea on Sunday.

25th November

Saturday's Sun Newspaper(Scottish edition)
Rangers contract rebel Davie Robertson is a shock transfer target for George Graham's Leeds United. Graham will watch Robbo in tomorrows Coca-Cola Cup final against Hearts at Parkhead. If he is impressed, Graham could steal the former Scotland star for a knockdown Ł1.5million. Rangers would settle for that because they fear they would get NOTHING if the 28 year old heads abroad when his contract runs out at the end of the season. Roberstson, who has been battling to shake off flu, has not agreed a new deal yet and will be free to start negotiating a jackpot contract away from Ibrox in the New Year. There could be interest from Italy and Spain, but Leeds may be the first to come up with a concrete offer. Elland Road chief Graham has been scouring the country for a left back to replace injury jinxed veteran Tony Dorigo. But he has failed to uncover a suitable candidate in England or abroad and has turned to the cut-price Robbo. His spies have already checked on the former Aberdeen star's form since his return from injury last month. Now Graham wants to see for himself at Parkhead tomorrow. If he likes what he sees, he will bid for the player he sees as a snip compared to other targets.

24th November

Graham on Southampton victory(YES!)
"We've been struggling a bit of late, but the team spirit is excellent and you can't ask for any more than that," said Graham. "There's still a lot of work to be done here, but it's team spirit like that gives you an advantage when you come up against a side like Southampton." He added: "We're not in a good position, and we've got to look for mid-table security. "I'm sure the fans won't be happy to settle for that, and I'd agree with them. But we are in the wrong half of the table and we've got to move up there first."

23rd November

Result
Southampton 0 Leeds 2

22nd November

Today's Daily Mirror
Leeds are poised to move in for Swindon striker Peter Thorne, who has turned down a new contract and is available for sale at 2 million. Ian McNeill, the newly appointed chief scout at Elland Road, tried to sign six-footer Thorne for Bolton last season but Swindon rejected the 1 million offer. A Leeds scout was at Ipswich this week and saw Thorne score again to take his tally to seven goals from his last seven games. Now boss George Graham is ready to move in. Thorne, who is 23, started his career at Blackburn but moved on to
First Division Swindon for 225,000 in January last year.
Gray
Andy Gray has suffered a setback in training and his comeback is delayed. Gray has been out since September with a calf strain and now a groin injury keeps him out.

21st November

Today's Daily Mirror
George Graham wants unsettled Chelsea skipper Dennis Wise as his first signing. Graham has been alerted by the news of Wise's bust-up with Ruud Gullit and now he is preparing a 3 million bid for the England ace who he wants to lead his side's battle against relegation. Wise, 29, will not ask Chelsea for a transfer despite last weeks training ground confrontation with Gullit. But he knows his premiership future has been placed in jeopardy by the arrival of 4.5 million Gianfranco Zola from Italy, and has demanded to know where his future lies.

20th November

Yeboah scores!
Tony Yeboah came safely through a private practise match against Carlisle. He scored after 10 minutes and looked surprisingly sharp throughout the game.
The Sun's regular Leeds Bulls***t column
In this mornings Sun newspaper Leeds are said to be interested in Dean Holdsworth. Apparently we are going to bid 3M pounds.
Gray
Andy Gray, who has been out with a calf strain since Leeds Coca-Cola Cup win at Darlington in September, is due to test his fitness in a practice match.

19th November

Two stories from the ever dependable Sun newspaper

Yesterday's paper ran an "exclusive" that suggests Carlton Palmer is out of favour with Graham and will be the first to leave under the forthcoming reorganisation.

Today's paper says that Graham is going to bid for Scandinavian Kjettil Rekdal, it states that 1.5m should secure his signature.

Info on Rekdal

Rekdal's a central midfielder currently playing in France, he distributes the ball well, and he also scores quite a few goals. Rekdal is also reported to be Leeds fan. When Norway played England some years ago, he switched jerseys with David Batty just because he played for Leeds.

O'Neill

Norwich have rejected offers from Leeds for Republic of Ireland international striker Keith O'Neill, who is set to stay at Carrow Road.

18th November

Yeboah
Tony Yeboah, speaking on Radio Leeds, before the game on Saturday, said as far as he is concerned he should be fit and available for selection for the Chelsea game on Dec. 1st.
O'Neill
Leeds United are interested in Norwich striker Keith O'Neill. The tall Republic of Ireland striker has rejected a new contract at Carrow Road, and Leeds are willing to pay over Ł2million.
Spenser
Chelsea striker John Spencer has emerged as another transfer target for Leeds. Graham may be ready to make a Ł 3m move for the Scot.

17th November

Graham on another defeat
George Graham claimed his side should have been awarded a penalty just before Rush's 59th minute booking. The Welsh striker felt Mark Wright had handled in the area. "If we had been awarded a penalty at that time, it could have given us the momentum to get a result," said Graham, in no doubt that a spot kick should have been given. "It was a shame that Ian was booked. We knew it would be a scrap and it was, but I was delighted with the character of our performance. We scrapped and fought to the end."

16th November

Result
Leeds 0 Liverpool 2

15th November

Rush
Ian Rush on Saturday's game against Liverpool "I scored so many times for Liverpool over the years and had some great times there, but life moves on and my loyalties lie with Leeds now. I can assure the fans that no one will be trying harder than me to stick the ball in Liverpool's net."
(Score a Hat-trick and all will be forgiven.)
Mahon
George Graham has denied making a bid for Tranmere's central defender Alan Mahon. He said: "I have not made any offer for any player at Tranmere. I went to see their match against Charlton recently but linking me with Mahon is probably just a bit of PR on Tranmere's part to get a price for the player."

14th November

Mahon
Leeds have been linked with Alan Mahon, Tranmere's 18-year-old Republic of Ireland Under 21 international central defender. Leeds will drop their interest if Rovers maintain their Ł5 million valuation.
It's a survey
A recent survey of Premiership fans notes that Leeds came top on two topics: "Ground where the fans think the atmosphere has deteriorated the most in the last five years" and "Fans who think the club means less to them now than it did five years ago."
From Thursday's Irish News
George Graham is reported to be interested in Northern Ireland defender Barry Hunter. But yesterday Reading boss Jimmy Quinn said Leeds had made no formal approach for the former Wrexham player but admitted that the player has a price. Hunter is reported to have been spotted by David O'Leary, who was in Nuremberg last weekend to watch German striker Oliver Bierhoff. While Graham looks set to bid Ł9m for the German hit man, he is willing to part with over Ł2m for Hunter.

13th November

Tubby's Italian no go
Swedish television has reported that Brolin's move to Sampdoria is off. He apparently failed the medical, citing that it would take Two months for Brolin to reach match fitness.

12th November

Nadal
Radio Leeds this morning linked us with a move for Barcelona's Nadal. Todays Independent says we have bid Ł3.3m. Nadal is said to be waiting to see if ManU are still interested before making up his mind.
Vega
Graham has confirmed reports that he is interested in Cagliari's Swiss international defender Ramon Vega but insists: "We are a long way from any deal. I'm interested in any quality players that become available, especially defenders. Vega falls into that category."
Brolin’s Italian job
Tomas Brolin is poised for a return to Italy. Sampdoria are the favourites to sign him on loan, until the end of the season with a view to a permanent move. Leeds are prepared to cut there losses and accept Ł2.5 Mill for the fat little b**tard.

11th November

Rush going to Man City?
Ian Rush is playing down rumours of a move to Maine Road as player manager. Rush said "I know nothing about it. I've said I would like to try my hand at management but that's in the future."
Graham in Switzerland
George Graham watched two matches in Switzerland this weekend. He saw Norwegian Stefan Everson score a hat trick in an under-21 international and then watched Norway's 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Switzerland on Sunday. Graham said: "I am watching as many games as possible and making a note of players we may be interested in if they become available, but there is nothing imminent."

10th November

Pleat won't sell
Sheffield Wednesday have denied rumours that their teenage striker Richie Humphreys is on his way to Leeds. Pleat said that the player is not for sale at any price.

9th November

Imminent signings
Radio Leeds says that Graham is about to sign two central defenders imminently, one a foreign international, the other a young Brit.
Radebe twists ankle
Lucas Radebe will play for South Africa in tomorrow's World Cup qualifier against Zaire despite twisting an ankle in a freak accident. Radebe, who was forced to have ice placed on the ankle after falling awkwardly on stairs, still trained this morning and has now been given the all-clear.

8th November

Dorigo
Tony Dorigo has undergone successful knee surgery. Graham said: "The surgeon is very pleased with how the operation went, We hope Tony will be back in action before Christmas."
Yeboah
Tony Yeboah could be back in first team action before the end of this month.

7th November

Rush rift?
George Graham has denied reports in the Daily Mirror of a training ground bust-up with striker Ian Rush. Graham was reported to have been unhappy that Rush had been allowed to rest from certain training sessions under previous manager Howard Wilkinson to keep him match-fresh. Graham said "It's absolute rubbish. I don't know anything about it. Rushie told me when I first came here that he had an agreement with Howard Wilkinson that he could have Mondays off after a game. I am quite happy with that arrangement.He is a very fit 35-year-old and if making an exception and allowing him to spend an extra day at home with his family extends his playing career I have no argument with that." Rush said: "I am reporting for training as normal. I haven't seen these stories so I cannot really comment. Any arrangement is between me and George Graham but there has been no row."
Kreuzer
German television reports that Leeds are looking at Oliver Kreuzer from Bayern Munich.

6th November

Kelly sent home
Gary Kelly has been sent home to Southern Ireland for a rest with his family. Graham said "Since I have been here Gary has been looking a bit jaded. I think things have been catching up with him."
Yeboah under tax investigation
Tony Yeboah is involved in a tax irregularity investigation surrounding his former club Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany. The Bundesliga second-division side has been thrown into crisis following the resignation today of chairman Hans-Joachim Otto and treasurer Bernd Tate after Frankfurt public prosecutors began their inquiry. Managing director Detlef Romeiko has admitted the investigation surrounds tax irregularities relating to alleged payments to Yeboah. However the club's board has denied all knowledge of any payments to Yeboah.

5th November

Sinclair stays put
Trevor Sinclair has agreed to stay at QPR. More info when available.
Jobson to see specialist
Richard Jobson is to see a specialist after missing the last two matches with knee trouble.
Today's Daily Mirror
Tony Yeboah was jubilant last night after passing his biggest test since undergoing major knee surgery six months ago. The Leeds ace hasn't played since damaging his knee last season, but came through his first serious training session yesterday with no problems. Now he expects to be ready for a run-out in the reserves before the end of the month and should be back in first team action well before his original target of Christmas.

4th November

Today's Yorkshire Evening Post

Graham is expected to enter the running for Lee Clark. The three Million pound rated midfielder had his transfer request granted by Newcastle.

Reliable sources suggest Keegan was at the Leeds game on Saturday Adding credence to the story.

More stuff

Carlton Palmer missed the match against Sunderland with a slight hamstring strain, he should be fit for the match against Liverpool a week on Saturday.

Tony Yeboah is due back in training with the first team squad this week, but Tony Dorigo undergoes a knee operation that is expected to keep him out for up to six weeks.

Graham is waiting to hear the outcome of Queens Park Rangers board meeting to consider Trevor Sinclair's transfer request. Leeds and Tottenham want Sinclair who is likely to be told to stay, at least until manager Stewart Houston brings in new players.

3rd November

Spurs will bid for Sinclair
Francis admitted "I understand that Rangers are holding a board meeting on Monday to discuss his transfer request." (How many board meetings do they need?) "If they are prepared to accept offers we will be interested."

2nd November

Leeds boss on Sunderland game
"We were really poor in the first half hour. We sat off them too much, we let them pass the ball around and dictate the game. Nigel Martyn kept us in it and we were fortunate to go in 1-0 up. We improved a lot in the second half but it's not going to hide anything, there's still a lot more work to be done here. It's not a turning point, just three points. The goalkeeper still makes too many saves and he shouldn't have to do that. You know me about defence, I want it to be watertight, the goalkeeper to be redundant." Graham singled out the selflessness of skipper Ian Rush who, faced with a personal worst run of 13 games without scoring, still agreed to play out wide and allow in-form Rod Wallace to take a central striking role. "Rushy was all for it because Wallace is on a hot streak, but the way he accepted it was brilliant."
Result
Leeds 3 Sunderland 0

1st November

Todays Newspapers

Daily Express

Tomas Brolin has until next Thursday to end his self-imposed exile and return to Leeds, or face possible legal action. The club had thought the Swedish striker was ready to settle his differences. But club solicitor Peter McCormick said: "We received a call from someone acting for Brolin to say that the player would be coming back to Leeds. But we are still waiting."

"George Graham, who delivered six trophies in eight seasons at Arsenal despite operating with a strict pay scale that put off potential big-money signings, now has the biggest transfer budget in the Premiership at his disposal. Leeds owners' Caspian are prepared to provide as much as 20 million pounds if George needs it to build a trophy-winning team at Elland Road."

Daily Mirror

"George Graham is set to break his transfer duck at Leeds United by completing the signing of Trevor Sinclair next week. The QPR winger is desperate for a move to the Premiership and has told friends that Leeds are his first choice. The waiting looks to be over because rangers have finally accepted that Sinclair, 23, cannot be talked into staying."

Deane still not 100%
Deane's hope of a rare start against Sunderland on Saturday, could be wrecked by tonsillitis.
Rufus recall
Leeds transfer target Richard Rufus has been recalled to the U21 England squad for next week's trip to Georgia.

Email Jon Bunting at
JonB@rawhead.demon.co.uk